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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 5, 2006 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER S, 2006 7:00 I'M The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairperson, Marlaine Szurek. Roll Call: Commission Members present-Thompson, Fiorendino, Schmitt, Peterson, and Szurek. Also present were Jeff Sargent (City Planner), Shelley Hanson (Secretary), and Gary Peterson (Council Liaison). Motion by Fiorendino, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the minutes pom the meeting of November 8, 2006. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. PUBLIC HEARINGS CASE NUMBER: APPLICANT: LOCATION: REQUEST: 2006-1201 James Richmond 3900 Stinson Boulevard Conditional Use PeI'mit for Retail Space in the LB, Limited Business District and Site Plan App,'oval INTRODUCTION At this time, Jim Richmond d/b/a Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc. (MRS), is requesting a Conditional Usc Permit (CUP) for a retail component of his business. The Zoning Code requires a CUP for any retail not exceeding 2,500 square feet in area for businesses located in the LB, Limited Business District. Mr. Riclunond is proposing to incorporate approximately 600 square feet of retail space in the former Silver Lake Clinic building, located at 3900 Stinson Boulevard. Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc. is a book publisher and gift company. Founded in 1991, the company produces a range of products, including gift books, greeting cards, and ceramic plates. Customers include small gifts shops and national chain stores such as Target and Wal-Mart. In addition to designing its own line of products, the company also licenses, designs and develops products for other gift companies. There are six full time professionals and six part time employees that work for the business. The proposed business located at 3900 Stinson Boulevard will function as a professional 811 studio, focusing on the design of the products. The business will not produce any of the products on-site. MRS utilizes local printers and sources out all of the book orders to the Far East. There will be some minimal storage of products for order fulfillment at the proposed business location. The applicant will also be constructing a 720 square foot addition to the south end of the building to accommodate a receiving area for incoming and outgoing shipments. In the near future, Mr. Riclunond hopes to incorporate a showroom/retail store, which requires the proposed Conditional Use Permit. Futurc plans also include the opcning of a classroom/conference facility where Ms, Riclunond can conduct established community education courses and creativity classes for individuals and corporate clientele. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 2 DECEMBER 5, 2006 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Comprehensive Plan guides this parcel as Low Density Residential. The property, however, is zoned LB, Limited Business. The proposal is consistent with the intent of the City's Comprehensive Plan for commercially zoned properties. ZONING ORDINANCE The property located at 3900 Stinson Boulevard is zoned LB, Limited Business. Professional studios are specifically listed as a permitted use for this district. As a Conditional Use, retail space not exceeding 2,500 square feet may be allowed. The applicant is requesting a retail space of approximately 600 square feet. The applicant is aware of some zoning issues pertaining to the property. The south end of the parking lot is currently unpaved. As a condition of approval, the applicant will be required to pave the gravel portion of the driveway. The applicant has also developed a landscape plan, which addresses some screening requirements of the City when a commercial entity abuts residential uses. Parking. There are four components to the proposed use of the building. The first is the professional studio and office component, which requires I parking stall for each 300 square feet of area for the studio. The second use is the retail component, which also requires I parking stall for each 300 square feet of retail space. The third use is the conference room, which requires II parking stall for each 3.5 seats based on design capacity. The final use is the storage component, which requires 1 parking stall for each 3,000 square feet of storage space. The following shows the required number of parking stalls required for each proposed use: Use Square Footage # Stalls Required Professional Studio: Bookstore (Retail) Assembly Hall Storage Area 2,990 square feet 600 square feet 36 seats 4,370 square feet 10 2 10 I TOTAL 23 stalls The proposed use will require 23 on-site parking stalls. The proposed plans indicate that there will be 26 parking stalls on-site on the property containing the building. Currently, there is a second parking lot located just north of the building. This parking lot is situated on two separate parcels zoned R2-A, One and Two Family Residential. The applicant's goal is to be able to accommodate all ofthe parking needs on the property containing the building, and some day would like to develop the two residentially zoned properties as single-family homes. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 3 DECEMBER 5, 2006 FINDINGS OF FACT Section 9. I 04 (H) of the Zoning Ordinance outlines 9 conditions that must be met in order for thc City to grant a Conditional Use Permit. They are as follows: (a) The use is one of the conditional uses listed for the zoning district in which the property is located, 01' is a substantially similar use as determined by the Zoning Administrator. A professional studio is a specific Conditional Use as listed for the LB, Limited Business District. (b) The use is in harmony with the general purpose ffild intent ofthe comprehensive plan. The Comprehensive Plan guides this parcel as Low Density Residential. The property, however, is zoned LB, Limited Business. The proposal is consistent with the intent of the City's Comprehensive Plan for commercially zoned properties. (c) The use will not impose hazards 01' disturbing influences on neighboring properties. All setback requirements will be met with the proposed addition to the building. The proposed use of the building is consistent with the types of uses allowed in the LB, Limited Busii1ess District. For these reasons, the use should not impose hazards or disturbing influences on neighboring properties. (d) The use will not substffiltially diminish the use of property in the immediate vicinity. The use of property in the immediate vicinity will remain unchanged as a result of the proposed use of the land. (e) The use will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that is compatible with the appearance of the existing or intended charactcr of the surrounding area. The intended character of the surrounding area is that of a single family neighborhood and commercial establishments consistent with the singlej'amily neighborhood. Being that the proposed use is contained in an existing building with a small addition, the use will be maintained in a manner compatible with the surrounding area. (1) The use and property upon which the use is located are adequately servcd by essential public facilities and services. The use and property upon which the use is located are adequately served by essential public facilities and services. (g) Adequate measures have been or will bc taken to minimize traffic congestion on the public streets ffild (0 provide for appropriate on-site circulation of traffic. The City Engineer has reviewed the proposed plans and did not have any issues with traffic congestion Typically, this type of use does not generate an excess amount of traffic in the area. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 4 DECEMBER 5, 2006 (h) The use will not cause a negative cumulative effect, when considered in conjunction with the cumulative effect of other uses is the immediate vicinity. The proposed use is a bookstore, which is permitted as a Conditional Use in the District it is located. It is intended that the use will not cause a negative cumulative effect on the immediate vicinity. (i) The use complies with all other applicable regulations for the district in which it is located. The use complies with all other applicable regulations for the district in which it is located. Staff recommends the Planning Commission recommend approval of the proposed retail space for the professional studio. Sargent went on to explain this also is the Site Plan approval. The setback requirements are met and landscaping will be added to buffer the site from the residential areas and to enhance the perimeter of the building. He stated that a condition ofihe approval was to pave the driveway access. OUESTION FROM MEMBERS: Fiorendirio asked if any plans had been submitted for new signage and what restrictions the owner need to know about. Szurek asked if they would be re-using the existing monument sign. Sargent stated that he had not received any plans to date, but the sign would need to meet current code requirements. Szurek asked what type of trucks would be delivering to and from the site and how will they access the site. James Riclnnond (the owner) told the cOlmnission members that one to two large UPS-type trucks would be making the deliveries and/or pick-ups from the business. No semi-trailer trucks would be used. Access would be from either the front or south side of the building on driveways that will be newly paved. Sclnnitt questioned why the Comprehensive Plan designates this as Low Density Residential when the properties along Stinson Blvd. have always been used as business sites. Sargent explained that inconsistencies sometimcs happen betwcen the Comprehensive Plan and the zarling classification of properties, especially if the property abuts both residential and commercial sites. Since it is already zoned for business and used as such, it should be allowed to continue in this capacity. Sclmlitt asked what the plans were for the comer lot along 40th Avenue. Sargent explained that he purchased the whole property, but that the north parking lot will be made into additional green space for now and that sometime in the future the new owner may wish to develop the sites with residential homes. Schmitt questioned whether the new owner had plans to install sidewalks to tie into others in the area. Sargent stated that he is not required to do so, but the owner was receptive to the idea depending on the cost of doing so. James Riclnnond (owner) of 4021 Silver Lake Terrace was present to answer further questions. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 5 DECEMBER 5, 2006 Fiorendino asked him if he would be re-using the existing sign. Richmond said the current one is an interior lit sign and their plans are to design one that will be front lit on both sides, and that it will not be a pylon sign. Peterson asked what types of books and gifts they carry. Richmond told them they are fully illustrated "Life Occasion" books created by his wife, who is an artist. Scrullitt asked why they were moving from their prcsent location near downtown Minneapolis. Richmond stated this site is larger than thcir prcsent location and it is within walking distance of thcir home which will be more convenicnt for them. He assured the commission that since he is also a neighbor to this business site, he wants to clean it up and add landscaping to make it attractive to the neighborhood. He confirmed that he has no plans to expand the business further than what is currcntly proposed. THE PUBLIC I-IEARING WAS OPENED: Milt Andrews of 2323 40th Avenue lives directly north of the property. He was concerned about the future plans for the two properties along 40th Avenue, hoping that whatever would be constructed there would fit into the surrounding neighborhood. After hearing what Mr. Richmond has planned, he is satisfied and looks forward to the propeliy being improved. . . Sargent told Mr. Andrews that if those two parcels are ever developed, a Public Hearing will be held in order to approve the plan, and he would be notified as a neighboring property owner. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Motion by Peterson, seconded by Thompson, that the Plmming Commission recommends the City Council approve the Conditional Use Permit for retail space no larger than 2,500 square feet for the building located at 3900 Stinson Boulevard, subject to celiain conditions of approval that have been found to be necessary to protect the public interest and ensure compliance with the provisions of the Zoning and Development Ordinance, including: I. All application materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information submitted with this application shall become part of the permit. 2. The gravel driveway on the south end of the property shall be resurfaced with a hard-surface material as approved by the City Engineer. All ayes. MOTION PASSED. The attached draft resolution will go to the City Council December 11, 2006. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 6 DECEMBER 5, 2006 RESOLUTION NO. XXXX RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR MARIANNE RICHMOND STUDIOS, INC. WITHIN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA WHEREAS, a proposal (Case #2006-1201) has been submitted by Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc. to the City Council requesting a conditional use permit from the City of Columbia Heights at the following site: ADDRESS: 3900 Stinson Boulevard LEGAL DESCRIPTION: On file at City Hall. THE APPLICANT SEEKS THE FOLLOWING PERMIT: A Conditional Use Permit pel' Code Section 9.110 (D)(3)(r), to allow retail sales not exceeding 2,500 square feet in area, in the LB, Limited Business District. WHEREAS, the Plmming Conunission has held a public hearing as required by the city Zoning Code on Dccember 5, 2006; WHEREAS, the City Council has considered tlic advice and recommendations of the Planning Commission regarding the effect of the proposed conditional use permit upon the health, safety, and welfare of the community and its Comprehensive Plan, as well as mlY concerns related to compatibility of uses, traffic, property values, light, ail', danger of fire, and risk to public safety in the surrounding areas; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights after reviewing the proposal, that the City Council accepts and adopts the following findings of the Plmming Commission: 1. The use is one of the conditional uscs listed for the zoning district in which the property is located, 01' is a substantially similar use as determined by the Zoning Administrator. 2. The use is in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the Comprehensive Plan. 3. The use will not impose hazards 01' distributing influences on neighboring properties. 4. The use will not substantially diminish the use of property in the immediate vicinity. 5. The use will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that is compatible with the appearance of the existing 01' intended character of the surrounding area. 6. The use and property upon which the use is located are adequately served by essential public facilities and services. 7. Adequate measures have been 01' will be taken to minimize traffic congestion on the public streets and to provide for appropriate on-site circulation of traffic. 8. The use will not cause a negative cumulative effect, when considered in conjunction with the cumulative effect of other uses in the immediate vicinity. 9. The use complies with all other applicable regulations for the district in which it is located. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 7 DECEMBER 6, 2006 FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the attached conditions, maps, and other information shall become part of this permit and approval; ffild in granting this permit the city and the applicant agree that this permit shall become null and void if the project has not been completed within one (1) calendar veal' after the approval date, subject to petition for renewal ofthe permit. CONDITIONS ATTACHED: 1. All application materials, maps, drawings and descriptive information submitted with this application shall become part of the permit. 2. The gravel driveway on the south end of the property shall be resurfaced with a hard-surface material as approved by the City Engineer. NEW BUSINESS None. OTHER BUSINESS Sargent said he has been looking over the Zoning Code ffild sees several items that need to be addressed by the Commission so that changes can be made that will streamline some things and better define others to provide direction to staff on the requirements to be enforced. He said he will be bringing the following items to the Commission in Januffi'Y'so that the necessary amendments can be made: 1. To eliminate the need for a CUP for agricultural sales/greenhouses that are annual requests. 2. To address signage issues for temporary signs, ba1111ers, portable, and window signage. Sargent said that several businesses (especially those along Central Ave) have been utilizing the above mentioned sign types. Even though there are some guidelines as far as size, it doesn't address how long they can be used, where they can be used, how many signs, colors, etc. The members agreed these items need addressing and it was decided to schedule a work session one hour prior to the regular January meeting to begin working on this. Szurek then asked if we would start working on the renewal of our Comprehensive Plan that is due by 2008. Sargent replied that it is a long process and that he will begin looking at that later this month and will bring this to the commission for input also. Szurek asked if anything new had been proposed for the Taco Bell site. Sargent said he hasn't heard anything since their request was denied by the City Council several months ago. She then asked if the City was pursuing the purchase of certain properties along Central Avenue for a Municipal Liquor Store. Gary Peterson informed them that they were in the process of purchasing the old Color Tile building, the Barber Shop and LaCaberna in the 4900 block of Central Ave. for that purpose. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES PAGE 8 DECEMBER 6, 2006 Sargent said the Comforts of Home project on 37th Avenue is proceeding. They have been waiting for some further approvals from the Rice Creek Watershed before they can request the Final Plat approval. Szurek asked if the city was still looking to build a Liquor Store in conjunction with that project. Sargent said that, yes, they are still pursuing that option also. He explained that a clarification ofthe language in the ordinance was made regarding the distance between Liquor Stores and schools. lIe said this language pertains to on sale establishments only, not to off sale retail stores. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pin. All Ayes. Respectfully submitted, d h&ik~ C~l&~c,'0 Shelley Hanson Secretary